Guardian ad Litem Services

Court Appointed Child Advocate

A Guardian ad Litem (GAL) is appointed by the Court to serve as an advocate for children caught in extreme duress. The role and responsibilities of the GAL are set by the Court in a formal court order. Being an advocate for the child, the role of a GAL is to determine solutions that would serve the best interests of the child(ren).

What Does a GAL Do?

A GAL serves the court as an investigator. The appointed GAL investigates all aspects of a case, prepares and submits a formal report, and offers recommendations to the court concerning necessary actions to protect a child.

To serve as a Guardian ad Litem in Georgia, a person must receive specific training which is administered or approved by the Office of the Child Advocate for the Protection of Children (OCA).

What Influences Recommendations?

A GAL makes recommendations based on what is learned about the child's lifestyle, parenting and home life. As part of the investigation the GAL meets with the child, parents, and people who can provide insight on the child's life. The GAL may do a home inspection, look at financial capabilities and other information to assess the safety and quality of the child's home environment. A home inspection is an important part of the investigative process. This is your chance to shine.

What Is On A Home Visit Checklist

There are numerous things which a GAL will want to check out during a home inspection. Generally these items relate to how well the child is being cared for and protected. Among the many things on a home inspection checklist these are some of the top areas of concern:

• Cleanliness of home environment
• Adequate food supply (ample amounts of quality food)
• Sleep provisions; bed space, clean bedding
• How many children per room/bed
• Functioning utilities; water, electric, gas, heating & cooling

Generally speaking, a Guardian ad Litem home visit seeks to determine the home is clean and safe. The GAL also confirms adequate resources such as food, toiletries, sleeping accomodations, etc. A more comprehensive visit may delve into daily routines, parent-child relationships, and general well-being of the children. This inspection may be enhanced with information such as health records and school records.

Need information on Guardian Ad Litem services? Contact us to schedule a consultation with a family law attorney.